Wire-stretcher



A (N6 Model.)

J. E. CRISP. WIRE STRETGHBR.

Patented Oct. 30

UNITED STATES i PATENT GEEICE.

JAMES E. CRISP, 0E HANDLEY, 'rExAs WIRE-STRETCHER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 528,151, dated October 30, 1894. Application filed May 11, 1894. Serial No. 510,907. (No model.)

To all whom it may con/cern.-

Be it known that I, JAMES E. CRISP, a citizen of the United States, residing at Handley, in the county of Tarrant and State of Texas, have invented a new and `useful Wire- Stretcher, of which the following is a specification. o

The invention relates to improvements in wire stretchers.

The object of the present invention is to improve the construction of "wire stretchers, and to provide an exceedingly simple and inexpensive device, which will enable one person to stretch fence wires conveniently for the purpose of mending them, or for stapling or otherwise securing them to fence posts in constructing fences.

The invention consists in the construction and novel combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter fully described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and pointed out in the claims hereto appended.

In the drawings: Figure l is a perspective view of a wire stretcher constructed in accordance with this invention. Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view.

Like numerals of reference indicate corresponding parts in both figures of the drawings.

1 designates a frame, constructed of suitable metal, and composed of two similar sides 2 bolted together adjacent to the ends. The

sides 2 are laterally offset intermediate of their ends to provide a central longitudinal opening 3 in the frame, and the ends of the sides are laterally extended to form curved arms 4 and 5. The arms 1 are adapted to be placed against a fence post, and form a convenient bearing for the wire stretcher, and the frame is provided between the arms 4 and its central opening with straight portions ranged at opposite sides of the windlass shaft.

The windlass shaft has one end extended, and

squared to receive a ratchet` wheel` 10, and a removable crank handle 11; and the ratchet wheel is engaged by a pivoted pawl 12, which is mounted on the frame, and which prevents the shaft from rotating backward when a fence wire is being tied or stapled to a post.

A pair of ropes or chains 13 is wound around the windlass shaft, and these ropes are lprovided with hooks to engage the wire to be stretched. In mending fence wires, Jthe broken or separated ends are attached to the hooks, and are drawn together by rotating the shaft, and when drawn sufficiently near each other, they are held by the pawl and ratchet, and may be conveniently connected by the operator. In stretching a fence wire in building a fence, the arms 11 are placed against a fence post, and the breast of the operator bears against the arms 5, whereby the wire stretcher is held in convenient position for use, and after the wire has been stretched tothe desired tension it may be readily stapled or otherwise fastened to the fence post.

It will be seen that the wire stretcher is simple and comparatively inexpensive in construction, and that by it one person may readily stretch wire in fence building or for mending broken wire. l

Changes in the form, proportion'and the minor details of construction' may be resorted to Without departing from the principle or sacrificing any of the advantages of this invention.

What I claim is* 1. A wire stretcher comprising a frame provided at one end with arms to bear against the fence post and having at its other end laterally extending arms forming a bearing for the chest of the operator, and a windlass shaft journaled on the frame, substantially as described.

2. A wire stretcher, comprising a frame provided at one end with short outward ly curved arms to bear against the fence post and provided at its other end with laterally extending curved arms forming a bearingfor-the breast of the operator, and a windlass shaft jonrnaled in the frame, substantially as described.

oomposed of two similar sides having its ends In testimony that I claim the foregoing as Io curved laterally to form arms and laterally my own I have hereto affixed my signature in offset intermediate of its ends to form a lonthe presence of two Witnesses.

gitudinal opening, a Wndlass shaft journaled his 5 in the opening, rollers journaled in the open- JAMES E. CRISP.

ing and arranged at opposite sides of the mark windlass shaft, and a pawl and ratchet for Witnesses: holding the shaft against backward move-` J. E. VALENTINE,

ment, substantially as described. W. H. WILLIAMS. 

